Wallabies vs. France: Jake Gordon wins No. 9 jersey for first Test in Brisbane

The Wallabies have named a rookie halves combination for the first Test against France with Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio set for just his second run-on start, this time alongside Waratahs No. 9 Jake Gordon.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has otherwise named four potential debutants on the bench, with Lachlan Lonergan, Darcy Swain, Len Ikitau and Andrew Kellaway all included among the replacements.

But it will be the untried and unfamiliar halves combination that will garner the greatest attention, after first-choice pairing Nic White and James O’Connor were ruled out with injury.

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White had been scrubbed with a knee injury shortly after joining camp on the Gold Coast while James O’Connor, who missed the Reds’ final two Super Rugby Trans-Tasman games, has failed to overcome a neck injury.

Still, Rennie said his entire 23-man squad both had earned the right to start in what is the first Test of a busy international season for the Wallabies.

“The whole squad has been training really hard over the past three weeks to prepare for what’s going to be an exciting, tough series against the French,” Rennie said.

“We’ve always selected a side based on earning the right to wear the jersey and this team is no different.

Jake Gordon has won the race for No. 9 in the Wallabies team to face France in the first Test in Brisbane Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“The whole group is excited to be back playing Test rugby in front of our families and supporters and we’re looking to start the year with a positive result at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.”

Veteran centre Matt To’omua has overcome his injury to start at No. 12, reprising the centre combination with barnstorming Reds midfielder Hunter Paisami that Rennie first used in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test last year.

Tom Banks, Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete make up the back three, despite the Rebels winger’s impending departure for Japan next year.

It is the same scenario for Brandon Paenga-Amosa up front with the Reds hooker winning the race to start despite his move to France at the end of the year. He is joined in the front-row by James Slipper and Alan Alaalatoa, the tighthead getting the nod ahead of Queensland powerhouse Taniela Tupou.

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Returned lock Matt Philip joins Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second-row, while skipper Michael Hooper headlines the predicted back-row trio alongside No. 8 Harry Wilson and the in-form Rob Valetini.

The first Test was last week shifted from Sydney to Brisbane after the COVID outbreak in the NSW capital, meaning Suncorp Stadium will host two matches while the second game is set for Melbourne’s AAMI Park,

France will clear their two-week hotel quarantine in Sydney on Tuesday and fly to Brisbane. The tourists have been permitted to train during their isolation period.

Australia squad for first Test vs. France

Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Alan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway.